An informative forum featuring local candidates in the running for Ripon City Council, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and the superintendents of schools will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30.
“This is not a debate but a way for the candidates to meet the community and discuss current issues,” said Tamra Spade, executive director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce.
This Chamber-sponsored event will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Ripon City Hall’s Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.
The questions on the issues for the Candidates Forum will be provided by the Chamber.
The public will get a chance to address the candidates.
Shane Smith, who recently opted against seeking a seat on the Ripon City Council – instead, he’s throwing his support to candidate and former Ripon Mayor Mike Restuccia – will not be present although his name will remain on the November ballot.
Smith’s change of heart was made before he could have his name removed from the running.
Restuccia and incumbent Dean Uecker, who are all but assured the two available seats, are scheduled to take part in the question and answer session. Mayor Chuck Winn, who is the other incumbent, is leaving the council in pursuit of the county’s District 4 post.
He and his opponent, Lodi businessman Russ Munson, are in the running to represent that includes Ripon, Lodi and Escalon. Ken Vogel, who currently occupies that seat, just endorsed Winn for the post.
Munson was the top vote-getter in the June primaries. He and Winn will have a chance to talk about the issues at the upcoming forum.
James Mousalimas and Jeff Tilton are vying for Superintendent of Schools. Mick Founts, who currently holds the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s top spot, decided against re-election.
The Ripon Unified school board race has already been determined and will not be part of the forum.
Newcomer Chad Husky will soon take the oath of office for the post currently held by board President Donna Parks, who decided not to seek another term. Incumbents Christopher ‘Kit’ Oase and Ernest Tyhurst also went unchallenged when the poll’s closed last month and thus will retain their seats.
For more information, call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 209.599.7519.
